US Imposes Visa Restrictions Against Rights Abusers in Venezuela

Travel ban for rights violators

The United States of America today imposed visa restrictions against human rights abusers in Venezuela amid the strife engulfing the South American country.

In a press statement in Washington DC, Deputy Department Spokesperson Marie Harf says the visa restrictions entails travel ban to the United States by a number of Venezuelan government officials who have been responsible for or complicit in such human rights abuses.

Nicolas Maduro, current President of Venezuela who took office after the death of Hugo Chávez in 2013. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The action taken by the US State Department is a manifestation of US respond to the growing turmoil which is hammering the country. Amid the growing protests against the Venezuelan government, the regime have responded with arbitrary detentions and excessive use of force.

directed at individuals responsible for human rights violations and not at the Venezuelan nation or its people.

"We have seen repeated efforts to repress legitimate expression of dissent through judicial intimidation, to limit freedom of the press, and to silence members of the political opposition." - Ms. Harf

With this step, the US underscores its commitment to holding accountable individuals who commit human rights abuses.

"Our message is clear: those who commit such abuses will not be welcome in the United States." - Ms. Harf

Unrest in Venezuela

Violent clashes between opposition demonstrators and government forces in Venezuela has made headlines since March this year.

Reports say at least 23 people had been killed nationwide and more than 200 others have been injured since protests started this years.

Protests raged across Venezuela when demonstrators marched the streets to protest shortages of goods, unemployent and high inflation and crime rate.

Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain english. Read more stories by Mina Fabulous. Contact Mina through NewsBlaze.

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